India won the Champions Trophy overcoming a plucky New Zealand by four wickets in a nervy final to cap their unbeaten campaign in the elite 50-overs tournament on Sunday, March 9.
Skipper Rohit Sharma top-scored with a rapid 76 but it was KL Rahul's unbeaten 34 in the nerve-shredding final overs that helped India chase down a tricky 252-run target with one over to spare.
New Zealand fought tooth-and-nail defending a modest total of 251-7 and Michael Bracewell produced a memorable all-round display but reigning Twenty20 world champions India could not be denied a second successive global title.
"It's been amazing," India batter Virat Kohli said after their tense victory.
"We wanted to bounce back after a tough tour of Australia. We wanted to win a big tournament and that's what we've ended up doing."
Having lost the service of pace spearhead Matt Henry through a shoulder injury, New Zealand bowlers had their task cut out and Rohit led India's powerplay assault.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner opted for spin from both ends but Rohit and Shubman Gill (31) went on to forge the tournament's first opening stand of 100 or more.
Phillips plucked a one-handed blinder to dismiss Gill and Bracewell removed Virat Kohli with his first delivery to peg back India.
With boundaries drying up, player-of-the-match Rohit charged out against Ravindra only to be stumped -- his dismissal injecting fresh excitement into the contest.
Iyer (48) combined with Axar Patel (29) to steady India but New Zealand kept prising out wickets.
Despite the madness around him, Rahul batted with ice in his veins to take India closer to the target and Jadeja sealed their victory with a four.
"Obviously it is bittersweet," player of the tournament Ravindra said.
"It was a great final, we played some great cricket in the lead-up...
"Individual accolades are great but the build-up to the tournament and playing for a great team was very enjoyable."
Earlier, New Zealand set India a victory target of 252 in the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Daryl Mitchell made 63 and Michael Bracewell contributed an unbeaten 53 down the order to help New Zealand post a competitive 251-7 after electing to bat.
India's four-pronged spin attack kept the run rate in check but they did not get enough support from the fielders, who dropped four catches.
India's spinners were the key architects of the bowling performance. Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) were the standout performers, while Jadeja (1/30) and Axar Patel (0/29 in 8 overs) kept the pressure on with their economical spells.
After winning the toss, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner opted to bat first.
The Kiwis got off to a flyer, with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra putting on a strong partnership.
They brought up 50 runs inside seven overs before Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Young for 15, breaking the opening stand at 57.
Ravindra continued his attacking approach, scoring 37 off 29 balls, including four boundaries and a six, but was cleaned up by Kuldeep Yadav as New Zealand found themselves at 69/2 in 10.1 overs.
Kane Williamson, who scored a century in the semi-final against South Africa, couldn't make an impact this time, falling to a brilliant caught-and-bowled effort by Kuldeep for just 11.
New Zealand reached 100 in 19.2 overs but kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Tom Latham (14) was trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja, while Glenn Phillips (34) was bowled by Chakravarthy, leaving the Kiwis at 165/5 in 37.5 overs.
Daryl Mitchell played the anchor role, scoring a patient 63 off 101 deliveries before falling to Mohammed Shami in the 46th over.
Shami, despite being expensive (1/74 in 9 overs), claimed his ninth wicket of the tournament. Skipper Santner (8) was run out by Virat Kohli, adding to New Zealand's troubles.
However, Michael Bracewell's unbeaten 53 off 40 deliveries, featuring three fours and two sixes, provided a late flourish, ensuring New Zealand reached a competitive total of 251/7.
© 2025